Robert De Niro is stepping into his first comic book movie, joining Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker," the standalone film about the DC Comics archvillain.

De Niro, 74, is in talks to play a role in the film with "Hangover" director Todd Phillips, a person familiar with the situation, but not authorized to speak publicly about it confirms to USA TODAY.

Described as a key role in the formation of The Joker, played by Phoenix, The Hollywood Reporter stated Monday that De Niro would play a talk show host for the film set in Gotham City in the 1980s.

"Joker" is set to start shooting later in the year and is due out Oct. 4, 2019.

This latest look at the villain, ten years after Heath Ledger starred in "The Dark Knight," has been described by the studio as an "exploration of a man disregarded by society" and a gritty character study that is "a broader cautionary tale."

De Niro has been a frequent critic of President Trump, most recently dropping the F-bomb twice while discussing Trump on live TV during the Tony Awards last month. Trump then called the "Raging Bull" star "punch drunk."

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It's that time of year for cosplay, movies, comics and all things geek. Here at San Diego Comic-Con 2018 (July 19 to 22), they have it all. KJ Apa (from left), Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart speak at the "Riverdale" Q&A on July 22 during Comic-Con. Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Paul Nestor, of San Diego, poses next to cutout figures of President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka at a booth for the satirical comic-book series "Trump's Titans" during preview night. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP